ACTIVITY PROGRAMME
2016-17
Aiming Higher Together
Greater Manchester Higher The partners in the network are: Greater Manchester Higher is a collaborative network of higher education providers in Greater Manchester who are working together to provide high quality, impartial information, advice and guidance about higher education, with the aim of increasing awareness and raising ambitions amongst talented learners in Greater Manchester. Our core programme of collaborative activity is delivered through the following range of activities, including presentations, workshops and events delivered both in school and on campus which are free of charge. As well as delivering a programme of collaborative activities, Greater Manchester Higher promotes to all state schools the full range of provision offered by HE providers across Greater Manchester through our website: www.gmhigher.ac.uk
For more information about any of the activities in this booklet, including how to book, please visit: www.gmhigher.ac.uk or contact gmhigher@mmu.ac.uk
www.gmhigher.ac.uk
ON CAMPUS ACTIVITIES These events all follow the same format and are hosted at one of the universities in the partnership.
Year 8-9 Choices Days This one day event introduces year 8 and 9 learners to the decisions that they will make throughout their education and encourages them to reflect on how their GCSE choices could impact on their future. The event includes a workshop, campus quest and the opportunity to speak with current students from across the partnership. The pupils will also see a drama performance from the performing arts group 2Engage as part of the day.
Year 10 Student Experience Visit These visits provide learners with the opportunity to visit a university or college campus and gain an insight into student life. Pupils will participate in a classroom based workshop, campus tour and a practical activity. Throughout the visit, they will explore the range of options available within higher education and gain an insight into the social aspects of student life and the facilities and support available, including an introduction to the Student’s Union and age-appropriate information about student finance. Pupils will work closely with current students from across the partnership to obtain first-hand information about studying at a higher level. Host Institution
Y8-9 Choices Day
Y10 Day in the Life of a Student
University of Bolton
Wed 9th Nov 2016 Wed 16th Nov 2016 Wed 10th May 2017
Wed 1st Feb 2017 Wed 8th Feb 2017 Wed 19th Jul 2017
Manchester Metropolitan University
Fri 18th Nov 2016 Fri 25th Nov 2016 Fri 16th Jun 2017
Wed 8th Mar 2017 Fri 10th Mar 2017 Fri 17th Mar 2017
University of Salford
Mon 23rd Jan 2017 Tue 24th Jan 2017 Thur 26th Jan 2017
Tue 28th Feb 2017 Wed 1st Mar 2017 Wed 26th Apr 2017
University of Manchester
Thur 2nd Feb 2017 Fri 3rd Feb 2017 Thur 9th Feb 2017
Thur 23rd Mar 2017 Fri 24th Mar 2017 Fri 9th Jun 2017
Wigan and Leigh College
Thur 20th Oct 2016
Thur 10th Nov 2016
The Manchester College
Wed 7th Jun 2017
Targeting Our campus visits are limited to 30 places per school. Teachers/advisors should target pupils who meet at least one of the following selection criteria and who have the potential to achieve at least five A*to C grades at GCSE (or equivalent): • Pupils from families where parents/carers have no experience of higher education • Pupils from a care background • Pupils with a disability • Pupils on free school meals • Pupils with caring responsibilities For monitoring and evaluation purposes, we will ask the organising teacher to provide the following data for their group: • Number of learners on free school meals • Number of learners in care/ from a care background • Number of learners with a disability • Number of learners who are young carers
IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Presentations and Workshops Delivered in your school, these sessions offer an insight in to various aspects of higher education. Presentations last 20 minutes and are suitable for large groups. Workshops last 45 minutes and are suitable for groups of up to 30. Workshops cover the same content as presentations and offer an opportunity to explore the subject matter further through interactive activities. Session
Year 7-11 IAG events A member of staff or a student ambassador will attend your event with a stand and literature, offering general advice on progression routes and answering questions related to higher education on behalf of all of our partners. Events we might attend in your school include, careers fairs, options evenings and parents’ evenings.
Content
Audience
This interactive presentation aims to help pupils understand how GCSEs can impact upon Y8-9 HE Uncovered their future in advance of choosing their GCSE options. Includes an overview of HE, and presentation progression routes to FE, HE and employment. Aims to inform decision making and raise aspirations and awareness in relation to HE.
Y8-9 learners
Encouraging Key Stage 4 pupils to start thinking about their futures and the decisions they Y10-11 HE Uncovered will soon have to make regarding their education. Includes advice on choosing A-level or presentation other level 3 subjects and degree courses as well as reiterating the importance of GCSEs. Appropriate student finance information for the age group is included. Aims to inform decision making and raise aspirations and awareness in relation to HE.
Y10-11 learners
Intro to HE Provides parents with a general overview of higher education, including the benefits of HE, Parent’s student finance and how to prepare your young person for decisions at Y8-9, Y10-11 and presentation Y13. Parents will also have the opportunity to chat informally with a member of the Greater Manchester Higher team following the talk.
Parents of Y8-11 learners
Student Life Find out what student life is really like from a current student, including academic study, presentation extra-curricular activities, accommodation, pastoral support and different types of HE or workshop establishments.
Y8-11 learners
Supporting students in preparing for college, HE and employment interviews. Interview Skills Delivered by current students who will share their experiences. presentation or workshop
Y8-11 learners
Revision Skills presentation or workshop
Supporting students to achieve their potential through effective revision and time management techniques, understanding different learning styles and how the brain processes information. Delivered by current students who will share their own top tips and experiences.
Star Student Star Student is a large board game that introduces KS3 students to university and higher Board Game education through an exciting team activity. Human counters move around the board as each team answers a series of questions relating to university. Answers are given through mime, drawing, multiple choice questions and spelling, so there’s something for everyone. This can be delivered to a class of up to 30 at a time and takes around an hour to complete.
Y10-11 learners
Y7-9 learners
EVENTS FOR TARGETED LEARNERS Greater Manchester Higher is committed to supporting under-represented groups in higher education, particularly care-experienced young people and disabled students (including disabilities, learning difficulties, long-term health conditions and mental health conditions). Schools are encouraged to include these students in cohorts taking part in all activities, however we have also developed an exciting programme of activities to engage with these students. Details of these activities are below, but please get in touch with us for more information or to discuss other groups you would like us to work with.
Bespoke Campus Visits All of the institutions in the partnership are happy to arrange bespoke visits for small groups of young people and their supporters who may require additional support in applying to and studying at university (including learners with disabilities, care leavers, young carers and estranged students) and these can be delivered at any time of year.
www.gmhigher.ac.uk
Young People from a Care Background Success4Life Project for Care-Experienced Young People (Year 8-10) This programme brings together looked-after young people to take part in interactive sessions that will develop their confidence and key skills, and raise their awareness of higher education. The sessions end with a graduation to mark the students’ success. A 10 week programme is delivered at The University of Manchester throughout the autumn term for Y8-9 pupils, and we can deliver a condensed version of the programme in a venue within a target local authority for either Y8-9 or Y9-10 pupils.
Step up to Uni (Year11-13) – Wednesday 12th April 2017 This event is a VIP Open Day hosted by the University of Bolton for young people who are care experienced and considering applying to University. It aims to increase their understanding of the specific support they can access within higher education, both from the local universities and the local authority. The visit includes a workshop with care experienced university students who are able to talk about their educational journey and answer any queries your students may have. There will also be information on the financial support available and how to access it. The days are small and interactive and give your students a chance to ask any questions they may have.
Presentation or Workshop for Young People from a Care Background Developed in conjunction with care-experienced young people, this 20 minute presentation or 45 minute workshop gives a general overview of higher education as well as specific information about the support available and can be delivered in a venue of your choice.
Learners with Disabilities The following activities are for learners who may access additional support at university, including learners with disabilities, learning difficulties, long-term health conditions and mental health conditions. Higher Education Visit Days (Year 8-10) These visit days offer a general introduction to higher education and will include information about support available, the Disabled Students Allowance and other financial support. Pupils will have the chance to meet disabled university students who will talk about their experiences and provide advice for the learners. Event
Host Institution
Date
Event for Deaf Learners
University of Salford
TBC – see website
Event for Learners on the Autistic Spectrum
Manchester Metropolitan University
Thursday 27th April 2017
Event for Learners with Mental Health Conditions
Manchester Metropolitan University
Friday 28th April 2017
Higher Education Support Presentation (Year 11-13) In addition to the events listed above, we can visit your school/college to deliver a 20 minute stand-alone presentation that details the kind of support available to disabled learners, how to access it and how to apply.
Prospective Student and Parent/Carer Event (Year 11-13) – Thursday 16th February 2017 This afternoon/early evening event hosted at The University of Manchester will cover the range of additional support available for disabled students who enter higher education and provide information about the financial support available (including Disabled Student’s Allowance). The highlight of the event will be a question and answer panel with current higher education students who have disabilities. There will be the opportunity for attendees to find out more about specific support available from universities and the third sector by visiting a range of information stands during the higher education Fair.
www.gmhigher.ac.uk
Young People with Caring Responsibilities Presentation or Workshop for Young Carers This 20 minute presentation or 45 minute workshop gives a general overview of higher education as well as specific information about the support available and can be delivered in a venue of your choice.
CPD FOR TEACHERS, ADVISERS AND KEY INFLUENCERS Greater Manchester Higher is committed to providing relevant CPD sessions for teachers and advisers across Greater Manchester. These are designed for colleagues who work with pre 16 learners, advising them about their options for the future in relation to higher education. Introduction to Greater Manchester Higher
Teacher and Advisor CPD Session
This 20 minute session introduces the network, its aims, and its purpose. You will find out more about the partners and stakeholders of the network and the resources and activities we provide.
This 45 minute session offers an overview of the HE landscape including progression routes, student finance, and sources of further information. We will discuss how to relay key message to your students and embed them in school practice in line with the Ofsted framework around careers education and IAG.
TARGETED LEARNER CPD We also offer a range of bespoke events and presentations for key influencers of targeted learners. These sessions provide an interactive forum for professionals to find out more about the higher education system and explore how best to support targeted learners on their journey. Breaking Barriers (Disabled Learners) – Wednesday 28th June 2017
This event is designed for adults who support looked after children and/ or care leavers who are thinking about going to University and will help answer questions you might have about how to apply to university, what the benefits are and what support is available for your young people, to ensure you feel confident advising the young people you support. The event will also contain information about post-16 pathways. It will be hosted at either The University of Manchester or Manchester Metropolitan University.
Key Influencer Presentations (Care-experienced young people) This 20 minute session is suitable for foster carers, social workers and other key influencers of care-experienced young people and gives a general overview of higher education, including the benefits of HE, student finance and how to support young people through the decision points in their educational journey as well as giving specific information about support available. We are happy to deliver this session as part of any training or information events which may be happening locally. We will try to bring along one of our care experienced students who will give their views on higher education and answer questions.
Designed by Epigram 0161 906 8911
Breaking Barriers is aimed at staff in the further education sector who support students with disabilities in their transition to higher education. The event will include lunch, networking, workshops and a marketplace with internal and external specialists in disability and student support/guidance. Attendees will learn about the range of support available, how this can be accessed and how they can prepare their students. This event will be hosted at The University of Bolton.
Supporting the Supporters (Care-experienced young people) – Wednesday 15th February 2017
www.gmhigher.ac.uk